Tag Archives: historically

“The fact is, we must accept some of the responsibility for the perception of Christians who stand for the traditional definition of marriage as being hateful.

I remind you, that as the Executive Director of the Christian Civic League of Maine, I stand uncompromisingly and steadfastly in the aggressive defense of the Biblical historical definition of marriage. However, I must tell you there are times that I am truly shocked and embarrassed by the hatred and disregard for human beings that I occasionally witness within our ranks. While we may strongly disagree with those who choose to abandon the Judeo-Christian ethic as our moral and legislative baseline, we must also denounce those amongst us that choose to ignore our spiritual obligation to “love the sinner, and hate the sin.” I truly believe that much of our ineffectiveness in reaching a lost world with the Gospel and thereby transforming our culture is due to vain lip service to “loving the sinner.”“

Of course the easiest way for Mr. Conley to get away from shocking comments and “disregard for human beings” would be to back off the movement that says gay people’s desire demand to live as they were created and love as they deserve is a “culture war” battle rather than just a benign reality. But until that glorious day, we’ll take comfort in knowing that he has witnessed the eye-opening anti-gay nonsense that has kept us awake at night. The admission is refreshing, even if the cure is still out of mental/rhetorical grasp.

The Daisy Polk Inn is every bit the grand dame that its namesake was. Built in 1904 and fully restored by 2002, the home was first owned by, who else, Daisy Polk — an “up and coming” star (according to the Dallas Press) of the Dallas opera scene who also taught at Hockaday School for Girls and passed away in 1980.

She lived at the Reagan Street address for 60 years. The gorgeous arts and crafts home now belongs to local pharmacist Wayne Falcone, who purchased the property in 1996. He lovingly restored it to its natural and historically correct beauty with the help of Dallas antiques expert and interior designer Gerald Tomlin.

Once the home was granted historical status and licensure to become a bed and breakfast, Falcone decided to open its doors to the public.

Guests can rent any one of the three rooms or the whole place if they prefer. Unlike typical B&Bs. Falcone turns over the keys to his guests, and they have the place to themselves until morning, when breakfast is served. And breakfast at the Daisy Polk Inn is no simple affair. From the china to the home-baked goodies, it is a lavish meal that guests won’t soon forget.

A little more than two years ago, most of America seemed to have written off New Orleans — it was destined to become a modern-day Atlantis, swallowed up by the sea and passed away into legend.

But the residents of the Crescent City would have none of that. They persevered, rehabilitating the city as quickly as possible and welcoming back tourists — especially gay tourists — with enthusiasm. (It helps that the French Quarter, the center of gay life, is above sea-level and was largely spared when the levees broke.)

Certainly bachelor revelers into great partying and easy hookups don’t have to find a reason to frequent the Big Easy other than Mardi Gras and Southern Decadence, but the city’s old antebellum charm makes it a romantic getaway for couples, too.

For exploring together, there’s the fabulous architecture, much of it spared from the hurricane: elaborate wrought iron, ethereal churches, sprawling plantations on the outskirts (including one, Houmas House, where “Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte” was filmed).